Your ShelfYour Projects

A Sabbath in the Wilderness

2%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 16, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 20.

Read the full edition

A Sabbath in the Wilderness

By MRS. AUGUSTA C. BAINBRIDGE

MRS. AUGUSTA C. BAINBRIDGE
Preparation day saw the house clean, the light Sabbath meals provided for, the children bathed, and papa's supper almost ready.
“Mama, let's sing until Sabbath comes.”
“Yes, dear. Here, George, you may stand by me, and help hold the book. Minnie may stand between us.”
And mama takes the chair by the window. Three voices join in the hymns they have sung so often and know so well.
“May we sing ‘Safely through’ now; the sun is ’most down?” asks Minnie.
And even while they sing, the orb of day drops behind the western hills. The world's rest day is here.
The far-away mill whistle blows, and soon the tired woodsman will be home.
“Minnie, you may ‘play organ’ while George helps me. Papa is too hungry to wait when he gets home.”
So the book is placed on the seat of the chair, leaning against the back. Minnie sits on her little stool in front of the chair, and “plays organ” with her little fingers on the chair seat, singing the songs she knows, over and over, turning the pages as she has seen others do. This is her Sabbath treat, and all the week she looks forward to it.
“Papa's come,” and away she runs to meet him and to tell him, “We had a singing, papa, and after supper we'll have some more.”
“Isn't it nice to have easy suppers, papa?” said George; “we can get everything done up so soon.”
“Yes, once in a while, son,” with a knowing look at mama, who has taken special pains that the Sabbath evening “easy supper” shall be one that shall please her husband. She must not let her Sabbath-keeping burden her unbelieving partner.
George's quick feet and mama's nimble fingers make a good team, and the dishes are soon despatched.
The “singing” is next in order; bed-time comes so soon on Sabbath evenings. The book is transferred from the chair to the table, and Minnie to mama's lap. They sing their hymns as happy as birds, while papa reads his evening paper.
“David for me,” says George, for story-time has come, “with the big lion after his sheep.”
“Serium Aden for me,” chose Minnie.
So after David had killed the lion, and folded his sheep safely for the night, and the little captive maiden in Syria had given her message of healing, the loving “Good nights” were said.
That mother wondered again, as often before, if the head behind the paper was really filled with thoughts gathered from its columns, or was there a message in the children's questions and stories and songs? God knew.
The precious REVIEW gave the faithful Sabbath-keeper a blessed evening; and morning brought the promise of a blessed day.
“Even the table-cloth knows it is Sabbath. See how still and smooth it stays,” smilingly says George, over his dish of flakes as his hand caressingly pats the cloth by his side. Little Minnie, too, holds her spoon more carefully, that not one drop may be spilled.
“Such fine, tidy children,” smiles papa, as he kisses each rosy face and starts off to the woods, where he chops, chops, all day long, getting the big logs ready for the mill to saw into lumber.
An “easy breakfast” is quickly cleared away, and after prayers, all three work together to get the house tidy for Sabbath-school and meeting.
First comes teacher's prayer-meeting, when mama goes into her room alone to pray. The children have their Sabbath picture cards spread out on the dining-room table. They are looking them over very carefully, for often there is a new one to admire, as mama sometimes slips one in during the week.
“O mama, see!” is the earnest greeting; “mine is the little Chinese baby boy king. What a lonesome look he has!” cries George, as mama appears in the doorway.
“And mine is some cold snow children,” says Minnie. The new cards are explained and admired, then all are returned to their boxes and put away until next Sabbath.
The three then, hand in hand, walk quietly into the front room, where the morning services are held.
How clean and still and happy it looks! They have no garden, as yet, in this wilderness home, but a few wild grasses adorn the table. Some people might call them weeds, but that could not be true, for weeds are plants growing where they are not wanted. These were the wild plants of the wilderness, growing just where they belong, in God's beautiful out-of-doors.
After bowing their heads in silent prayer for just a moment, the opening hymn is sung. George reads the numbers of the hymns from a slip of paper his mother has given him. He has been holding that dignified office for over a year. Then come records and collection, and the time is free for the lesson.
Another hymn, a Scripture lesson, a circle of prayer, and mama takes the teacher's chair.
“I think I know all my verses but one, and I know every reference,” and George begins to answer questions. Minnie has the memory verse, and is learning the references now.
Then comes the happiest part of the hour, when George takes the teacher's chair, and with mama's help over an occasional hard word, asks his grown-up pupil the questions from the Quarterly. This exacting teacher expects his pupil to answer every question with the full Scripture text and correct reference, without opening the Bible. Rarely does she fail; for she knows she is being watched by two pairs of very observant eyes, and being listened to by two pairs of very sharp ears. She knows that the pattern she sets is the one they will follow.
Another hymn is sung, which is followed by a short intermission, during which the windows are opened to invite a fresh supply of oxygen for the next service.
A hymn, a psalm for responsive reading, and a prayer, during which all kneel, complete the first part of the service.
Then come the reading of an article from the Signs, in lieu of a sermon, and a short story for the children, followed by a hymn. After this the collection (that is now Minnie's part) is taken, and all sing the Doxology. The mill whistle blows again for the noon hour, but as the papa in this home eats his dinner away in the woods, there is an opportunity for an outdoor lunch to-day.
“Mama, may we eat our lunch up the creek, on that grassy place where we went last Sabbath?”
“Of course!” and a basket of lunch is quickly prepared.
Papers, a singing-book, and a story-book are committed to George's care, and the three sally forth to enjoy a Sabbath out where the first Sabbath was kept, under God's blue sky.
Clean newspapers are used as a dry rug to sit on, as well as a clean cloth to spread the lunch on. Healthy appetites make the plain food taste delicious. This mother teaches that the Sabbath is not a day for feasting, but for enjoying what they eat in the fear of the Lord. Then comes the regular Sabbath story of creation. Little Minnie counts on her fingers the days, one after another, as well as the things that were made, getting them quite thoroughly confused; but George recites it all. One God, and he the creator, is this continual lesson. A few songs, the commandments, and a Bible verse or two make a fine prelude for the story.
“Now, children, mama has read to you your story; and you may run about while she reads hers. You may go as far as that fence, and see what pretty things you can find.”
An hour or more and they return, laden with the spoils of the field, and brimming over with interrogations.
Questions answered, the quiet walk home, the evening prayer and song service, and the beautiful day is ended all too soon.